The women's Black Sticks have got their Oceania Cup campaign underway in perfect fashion with a 3-2 win over Australia at the TET MultiSports Centre in Stratford this evening.

Sam Jimmieson has had the right coaching to help him achieve the transition from school to bigger stage.

Those named for the Oceania Cup hockey tournament have the inside running for places at December's World League finals in Argentina.

In an ideal world, New Zealand would be grouped with Australia when the teams travel to the World League finals in India in January.

New Zealand's women's hockey team have another tournament on their schedule as they prepare for next year's World Cup/Commonwealth Games double.

New Zealand has a solid case for hosting a World Cup in 2018 and have been making their argument to hockey's top official this week.

For the first time in a long period, there's no one called Harrison in the Black Sticks women's squad for the next year.

The identity of the opposition played a part in North Harbour rediscovering top form in the National Hockey League yesterday.

It was not planned that way, but today is finals repeat day in the National League at North Harbour.

Two games, two wins, bundles of goals; defending champions Auckland could scarcely have got their men's Challenge Shield campaign off to a better start.